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| Hawk Rope Access, Inc. 124 Parker Avenue, Rodeo, California, USA 94572 |
| Phone 510-245-8728 Fax 510-245-1728 |
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| Home > Hawk At Work > Wind Tunnel Inspection Project |
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| Hawk Rope Access, Inc. |
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National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex
NASA Ames Research Center
A thank you to our team from the NFAC: |
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“…From beginning to end, your efforts and those of the crew assigned to this project exemplified an exceptional standard of professionalism. On behalf of the NFAC staff, I am writing to express our gratitude and to thank you on a job well done.”
Sincerely,
Jose Navarrete
Facility Mechanical Engineer |
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| The National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, California was recently faced with the daunting task of inspecting and performing maintenance on its wind tunnel system. |
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| Six 40-foot diameter fans that are powered by six 22,500 horsepower motors drive the wind tunnel system. The wind tunnel airflow generated by the drive system is directed by a system of eight vane sets located throughout the wind tunnel circuit. The vane sets span along lengths of up to 244 feet and ceiling heights to 132 feet. |
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| After performing a thorough walk-through and job schedule estimate, our team of Rope Access Technicians began working and quickly managed the difficult job of staging, rigging, climbing and accessing vane areas. |
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| Industrial Rope Access techniques were used to access the vanes. Ropes were rigged to structural steel beams in the attic area above the wind tunnel and then lowered through holes in the roof. Most of the holes were already in place, but some new holes were cut using a 3” hole saw above vane sets. The inspectors then ascended the ropes from the tunnel floor, and performed the inspection on the way down. |
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| While descending , ascending and traversing on ropes our team inspected the integrity of all vane set structures and associated mechanisms and assemblies, performed magnetic particle testing of critical weld locations and suspected weld cracks, cleaned and lubricated critical mechanical components, repaired faulty electrical and structural components, photographed abnormalities, and meticulously documented the work. In addition, Rope Access technicians removed loose debris from various locations throughout the wind tunnel. |
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| The team successfully completed a thorough inspection and maintenance program of the vane sets as well as repair tasks within a time frame of one month, a job that historically required several months to accomplish with the use of man-lift baskets and scaffolding. “All while demonstrating an impeccable safety standard.”
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Hawk Rope Access, Inc.
Phone 510-245-8728 Fax 510-245-1728
124 Parker Avenue, Rodeo, California, USA 94572 |
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